Texas responds to Supreme Court ruling by adding more razor wire along border: 'Hold the line'

The U.S. Supreme Court sided with the Biden Department of Homeland Security Monday, allowing federal border officials to cut the razor wire Texas has installed along stretches of the Rio Grande as a means of securing the southern border and protecting American sovereignty.

Rather than cave in the wake of the 5-4 decision — which had nominally conservative Justices John Roberts and Amy Coney Barrett in the majority — the Lone Star State has doubled down and installed more wire.

The Texas Military Department indicated it would "hold the line in Shelby Park to deter and prevent unlawful entry into the State of Texas. We remain resolute in our actions to secure our border, preserve the rule of law, and protect the sovereignty of our State."

Shelby Park is a 47-acre municipal park in Eagle Pass where hordes of illegal aliens have entered the U.S. in recent months and years. The state seized control of the park on Jan. 10. In addition to fencing the perimeter and improving shoreline barriers, the state ousted federal agents, allowing them entry only in specific circumstances.

"Texas has the legal authority to control ingress and egress into any geographical location in the state of Texas, and that authority is being asserted with regard to that park in Eagle Pass, Texas, to maintain operational control of it," Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said of the move.

In the weeks since, the Biden administration has been working through the courts to regain entry to the park and dismantle the defenses therein.

NewsNation reported that following the Monday Supreme Court ruling, Texas officials have been spotted installing new razor wire and anti-climb fences. Federal agents have not yet been seen attempting to enter Shelby Park to cut the wire.

Footage shared to X by CBS News' Camilo Montoya-Galvez appears to show Texas National Guard soldiers setting up more wire in Eagle Pass to help curb the influx of foreign nationals into the country.

Rep. Randy Weber (R-Texas) championed Texas' apparent installation of additional razor wire, telling NewsNation, "Quite frankly, I think that Gov. Abbott needs to tell the federal government to stay out of Texas, in my opinion. They're not protecting the border, they've done a lousy job as an administration, they're not putting the policies in effect that need to be there to deter people from coming."

Following the Supreme Court's ruling, Abbott wrote, "This is not over. Texas' razor wire is an effective deterrent to the illegal crossings Biden encourages. I will continue to defend Texas' constitutional authority to secure the border and prevent the Biden Admin from destroying our property."

"The Supreme Court's temporary order allows Biden to continue his illegal effort to aid the foreign invasion of America," Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said of the ruling. "The destruction of Texas's border barriers will not help enforce the law or keep American citizens safe. This fight is not over, and I look forward to defending our state's sovereignty."

Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) blasted the interlocutory order, writing, "This opinion is unconscionable and Texas should ignore it on behalf of the [Border Patrol Union] agents who will be put in a worse position by the opinion and the Biden administration's policies."

The Border Patrol Union indicated the removal of wire would "undoubtedly encourage more illegal immigration" and hinder Border Patrol agents' efforts to target criminal elements crossing the border illegally.

"The administration no doubt will say this is a win for border security, but if they sought rank and file input, they would be told this will do the exact opposite," the union said in a statement. "Agents support what Texas was trying to accomplish in the absence of true border security policies from this administration."

"I think it's disgraceful," Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (R) told the Messenger. "And it is unfortunately the manifestation of the Biden administration actively fighting against the state of Texas to try to prevent Texas from securing our border."

Blaze News previously reported that the Biden White House alternatively celebrated the decision, stressing the wire "got in the way."

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!